UKBFTOG’S at Wednesday Season 2 Premiere Red Carpet
Within a male dominated industry it’s of course easy to not see ourselves and one of the things we have really pushed over the years is giving our community members access and new opportunities, giving them experiences. One of our recent access opportunities was giving to one of our members Ejiro , she is a Nigerian Freelance Photographer based in the UK and Nigeria, she loves to capture intimacy in her work, and further express herself through sharp, vibrant editing.
We asked her a couple questions about her experience and here is what she had to say:
What was the most daunting part about doing press photography, especially if was your first time?
I was worried about screaming the names of people that do not know me, it felt a bit strange, but I was able to salvage some images from that. I wasn’t aware that I was the youngest photographer there until it ended. I started to feel some sort of imposter syndrome; what if I’ve done it all wrong? I have no experience in this; will my images reflect the excitement and softness that each individual brought? There were so many questions in my conflicted mind.
Aside from that – everything else was great! Standing on my feet with a heavy camera and moving around with it is nothing new to me. So aside from it being my first time doing press photography, everything else was pretty standard for me.
What did this experience do for you?
This experience gave me a better understanding of how press photography works. With all the images I’ve seen from past premieres, I would often wonder how they were able to get a particular shot or get an actor’s/actress’ attention – well – now I know. This experience also allowed me to see celebrities with more grace than before; having various cameras in front of you, flashing lights, and a series of voices uttering directions and commands is not an easy thing for anyone. I was able to better read body language, sharping my reflex and instincts to achieve my best.
What kit did you use?
Sony Alpha7 IV + FE 2. 28-70mm lens
What advise would you give someone who has never done press photography before?
Be confident in your style of photography and adapt it to the environment that you are in. Do not be afraid of speaking your mind, asking for help, or even nudging a bit to get a good spot and a good shot! Everyone is there for a reason, and so are you. Angles matter a lot, so do well in walking around to get different shots of your subject.